Neji's Growth

Behind Konoha, moonlight spilled over the tranquil forest. Silver radiance pierced through the treetops, casting soft shadows across the ground. Beneath the night sky, Uchiha Feng quietly watched Neji Hyuga before him, his heart filled with gratification and pride.

"You did very well." He smiled faintly, warmth gleaming in his eyes. "In just one year, you have mastered the essence of every Hyuga Clan Gentle Fist technique. You truly are worthy of being my disciple."

Neji Hyuga's aura was far stronger than it had been a year ago. Though he still looked like a young child, his tone carried a maturity and resolve that seemed to have long surpassed the troubles of his age.

"Teacher, how should I train next?" His eyes shone brightly, as though he were anticipating a higher level of training.

Uchiha Feng slightly raised a hand and extended two slender fingers. Gazing deeply at Neji Hyuga, he slowly said, "I will give you two choices."

Neji Hyuga frowned slightly, his heart filled with both anticipation and doubt. "Teacher, please tell me. What are these two choices?"

Uchiha Feng's voice was as warm as a spring breeze as he continued, "First, I can remove the restraint of the Caged Bird curse mark for you right now."

Neji Hyuga's heart was instantly flooded with joy. His eyes widened as he asked in disbelief, "Teacher, is that true? Do you really have a way to undo the Caged Bird curse mark?"

"That's right!" Uchiha Feng nodded firmly, encouragement shining in his eyes.

Waves rose in Neji Hyuga's heart as he asked excitedly, "Then what is the second choice?"

Uchiha Feng smiled faintly, a trace of excitement in his voice. "The second choice is that I can teach you how to break through the Caged Bird curse mark yourself. The moment you succeed in breaking through it will be the moment you truly take flight!"

His words were like the light of dawn, illuminating the hope in Neji's heart. Excitement surged within him, as though he could see a brand-new future.

Neji Hyuga declared without hesitation, "I choose the second path!"

Uchiha Feng smiled faintly, appreciation gleaming in his eyes. "Good! As expected of my disciple—you have courage! But you must understand that this path is filled with thorns and challenges. It may even leave you unable to break free from your own shackles for the rest of your life!"

Neji Hyuga's gaze was resolute and unwavering as he replied without retreating, "Even so, I will not hesitate. To pursue true strength, I am willing to pay any price." His words surged like a gale, sounding especially forceful in the quiet night.

Uchiha Feng smiled faintly, anticipation gleaming in his eyes. "Come! Let your teacher test the results of your training over this past year..." His voice was steady and powerful, as though it contained endless care and expectation.

"Yes, Master!" Neji Hyuga answered firmly, confidence written across his face. Fighting spirit ignited in his heart as he sought to prove his growth to his master.

In an instant, Neji Hyuga charged at Uchiha Feng like an arrow released from the bow. The ground beneath his feet trembled faintly from his rapid movement, and even the air seemed to distort beneath his speed. Chakra flowed through his body, wielded with extraordinary finesse, as though every pulse of his being resonated in harmony with nature itself.

However, Uchiha Feng's gaze was sharp as fire, and every movement appeared somewhat crude in his eyes. He easily neutralized Neji's attack, as though it were nothing more than a child's game.

"Too slow!" He shook his head, a hint of disdain in his tone. "You need greater speed! Greater strength! And... more abundant chakra!"

"Ah! Gentle Fist! Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!" Neji Hyuga unleashed his ultimate technique without hesitation. His hands swept out dazzling trails of light, his speed rising once more as he closed in on Uchiha Feng.

Uchiha Feng was slightly startled. He chose to take the attack head-on, feeling the impact of that force against his hands as he silently praised Neji's progress.

However, as smoke spread through the air, Uchiha Feng's figure instantly turned into white mist and became a log. The Substitution Technique was dazzling enough to confuse the eye, leaving Neji Hyuga stunned for a moment.

Just as he was bewildered, Uchiha Feng emerged from behind him, his expression calm, as though everything remained under his control.

His voice was like a gentle breeze brushing across one's face. "Your perception is lacking. You did not even notice when I used the Substitution Technique. Remember, you possess the Byakugan, an eye of insight."

Then, Uchiha Feng took an ancient scroll from his robes and lightly tossed it to Neji Hyuga.

"This contains the method to break through the Caged Bird curse mark. Take it and train well! Once you break this seal, you can enter the next stage of training. Remember, you will no longer need to train at the back mountain every night."

Neji Hyuga caught the scroll, excitement surging through his heart. He immediately dropped to his knees and lowered his head respectfully. "Thank you, Master! I will definitely break through the seal. I will never disappoint your expectations!"

When he raised his head and wished to offer another word of thanks, he discovered that Uchiha Feng had dispersed like morning mist. Only a faint breeze remained, as though he had never been there at all.

Neji could not help feeling a trace of disappointment, but the scroll before him soon inspired him once more. He silently resolved that he would live up to his master's command and bravely pursue his own path of cultivation.

Outside Konoha, moonlight fell through the treetops onto the ground. Yet Uchiha Feng's face was shrouded in gloom, as though a storm were about to brew. His brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes as deep as an abyss, anger ready to erupt at any moment.

"Yanwu, what exactly happened? Are you saying Haruka was discovered, and Hidden Cloud Village even took her Sharingan?" Suppressed fury seeped through his low voice.

Haruka, originally named Uchiha Haruka, was one of the outstanding members of the Maple Leaf Squad. As a genius kunoichi of the Uchiha Clan, she excelled not only at genjutsu, Fire Release, and Wind Release, but also possessed the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Her strength had already surpassed that of an elite jonin.

Uchiha Feng had originally planted her in Hidden Cloud Village as a spy, where she gathered intelligence for him during her undercover mission. Yet now, she had been exposed by the enemy, and even her Sharingan had fallen into their hands.

Uchiha Yanwu's expression was equally grave as she slowly said, "We only just received this news. The scouts just sent the intelligence, and I only learned of it moments ago."

One had to know that the Maple Leaf Squad currently had only three members.

The captain was Uchiha Yanwu. Of the other two members, one was Uchiha Yuta, and the other was Uchiha Haruka.

All three possessed the potential to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, and each had their own strengths.

Uchiha Yanwu possessed an extremely high mastery of Fire Release and outstanding combat talent. She was a genius best suited for battle.

Uchiha Yuta possessed chakra of all five attributes. His strength lay in his balance; although he was not especially strong in any one aspect, he was an all-rounder capable of handling all kinds of unexpected situations.

Uchiha Haruka possessed an extremely high mastery of genjutsu. Clear-minded and exceptionally calm, she excelled at genjutsu, Fire Release, and Wind Release.

Uchiha Feng firmly believed that within five years, these three genius members would surely awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan and transform into true Kage-level powerhouses.